Methods for treatment of polyposis

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to method for treating medical disorders mediated by mutations in the APC gene by administering an IGF1R inhibitor. Such disorders include, for example, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/835,941, filed Aug. 7, 2006; which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for treating diseases mediated by the APC gene, such as familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gardner Syndrome, Turcot Syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated FAP are diseases that have been liked to the APC gene. APC is located on the long arm of chromosome 5.

Patients with FAP typically develop hundreds to thousands of colon polyps, usually starting in their teens. Essentially all subjects with FAP will develop colorectal cancer from the colon polyps usually by age 40. Patients with FAP often must have the colon, and sometimes the rectum, removed to prevent colon cancer. A less severe variant of FAP is attenuated FAP.

Gardner syndrome, a variant of FAP, is disease typically characterized by gastrointestinal polyps, multiple osteomas, and skin and soft tissue tumors. Cutaneous findings typically include epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumors, and other benign tumors. Polyps have essentially a 100% risk of undergoing malignant transformation.

Turcot Syndrome is a genetic disease typically characterized by polyps in the colon in addition to tumors in the brain. The polyps in the colon tend to become malignant. The brain tumors are also malignant. There are sometimes also skin abnormalities including cafe-au-lait (coffee-with-milk) spots, multiple lipomas (fatty tumors), and multiple scalp basal cell carcinoma (skin cancers of the scalp). Some consider Turcot syndrome to be a variant of FAP.

A study in mice demonstrated a connection between FAP and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) (Hassan et al., Cancer Res. 60:1070-1076 (2000)). In this study, it was demonstrated that mutation of the IGF-II gene attenuated the expression of the adenomatous phenotype of mice with a mutation in the APC gene.

Presently, there are limited treatment options for patients suffering from FAP and other APC-mediated medical disorders. One of the first medications that was found to shrink colon polyps in patients with FAP was an anti-inflammatory medicine called sulindac. Sulindac is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Many patients, however, cannot tolerate sulindac (e.g., due to gastrointestinal toxicity) and must discontinue taking it. An arthritis medication called celecoxib was approved by the FDA for the treatment of colon polyps in patients with FAP. Celecoxib, however, is a COX-2 inhibitor, and such medications have been linked recently to heart attacks (see e.g., Mukherjee et al., JAMA. 286:954-959 (2001)). Another routine treatment option is the drastic surgical measure of colectomy.

There clearly remains a need in the art for effective treatments of FAP and other APC-related medical disorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need in the art for additional treatments of FAP and other APC-related medical disorders by providing the methods and compositions of the invention as set forth herein.

The present invention comprises a method for treating or preventing an APC-mediated medical disorder in a subject, by administering, to the subject (e.g., a human), a therapeutically effective amount of an IGF1R inhibitor or a pharmaceutical composition thereof. In an embodiment of the invention, the disorder is a member selected from the group consisting of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Gardner syndrome, Turcot syndrome and attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis. In an embodiment of the invention, the inhibitor is one or more members selected from the group consisting of an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds specifically to IGF1R (e.g., a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, an anti-idiotypic antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific antibody, a humanized antibody, a fully human antibody, a recombinant antibody, a Fab, a F(ab)2, an Fv, a single chain antibody, a dsFv and a linear antibody),

In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises one or more CDRs from a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 and/or one or more CDRs from a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or 12. In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody is an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that binds to IGF1R comprising a light chain immunoglobulin amino acid sequence which comprises CDR-L1 comprising amino acids RASQSIGSSLH (SEQ ID NO: 106), CDR-L2 comprising amino acids YASQSLS (SEQ ID NO: 107) and CDR-L3 comprising amino acids HQSSRLPHT (SEQ ID NO: 108); and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin amino acid sequence which comprises CDR-H1 comprising amino acids SFAMH (SEQ ID NO: 109) or GFTFSSFAMH (SEQ ID NO: 110), CDR-H2 comprising amino acids VIDTRGATYYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO: 111) and CDR-H3 comprising amino acids LGNFYYGMDV (SEQ ID NO: 112). In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody is an isolated antibody comprising a light chain variable region comprising amino acids 20-128 of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6 or 8 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising amino acids 20-137 of SEQ ID NO: 10 or 12. In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody or fragment comprises a light chain immunoglobulin variable region linked to a kappa light chain constant region. In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody or fragment comprises a heavy chain immunoglobulin variable region linked to a gamma 1 heavy chain constant region. In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody or fragment comprises a mature heavy chain immunoglobulin encoded by a polynucleotide in plasmid 15H12/19D12 HCA (γ4) which is obtainable from a cell line deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under number PTA-5214; and/or a mature light chain immunoglobulin encoded by a polynucleotide in plasmid 15H12/19D12 LCF (κ) which is obtainable from a cell line deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under number PTA-5220. In an embodiment of the invention, the IGF1R inhibitor is administered to the subject in association with one or more therapeutic procedures, diagnostic procedures or additional therapeutic agents (e.g., a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) e.g., in a single or separate compositions. In an embodiment of the invention, the additional therapeutic agent is one or members selected from the group consisting of any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID), any selective COX-2 inhibitor, piroxicam, sulindac, aptosyn (sulindac sulfone), indomethacin, rofecoxib, celecoxib or aspirin, a dietary calcium supplement, a retinoid, a carotenoid, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, selenium, folate and methionine. In an embodiment of the invention, the additional therapeutic agent is in a pharmaceutical composition in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In an embodiment of the invention, the IGF1R inhibitor is administered to the subject by a parenteral route.

The present invention also provides a composition comprising one or more IGF1R inhibitors (e.g., anti-IGF1R antibodies, e.g., as set forth herein) in association with one or more agents that are suitable for treating or preventing any APC-mediated medical disorder such as FAP including any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, any selective COX-2 inhibitor, piroxicam, sulindac, aptosyn (sulindac sulfone), indomethacin, rofecoxib, celecoxib, aspirin, a dietary calcium supplement, a retinoid, a carotenoid, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, selenium, folate and methionine) or a pharmaceutical composition thereof (i.e., comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing any APC-mediated medical disorder. APC-mediated medical disorders include, for example, FAP, Gardner syndrome, Turcot Syndrome and attenuated FAP. Such disorders are treated by administering an IGF1R inhibitor to the subject optionally in association with a further therapeutic agent (e.g., an anti-inflammatory drug such as an NSAID) or in association with a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, such as X-ray, colonoscopy or surgery.

The terms “IGF1R”, “IGFR1”, “Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor-I” and “Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor, type I” are well known in the art. Although IGF1R may be from any organism, in an embodiment of the invention it is from an animal, such as a mammal (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, sheep or dog) including a human. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of a typical human IGF1R precursor has the Genbank® Accession No. X04434 or NM_(—)000875. Cleavage of the precursor (e.g., between amino acids 710 and 711) produces an α-subunit and a β-subunit which associate to form a mature receptor.

As stated above, the present invention comprises methods for treating or preventing any APC-mediated disease or medical disorder. Such diseases or disorders include, for example, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP; also known as familial polyposis coli), Gardner syndrome (see e.g., Gardner et al. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 5:139-47 (1953)), Turcot syndrome and attenuated FAP.

In subjects suffering from familial adenomatous polyposis, colorectal adenomatous polyps typically begin to appear at an average age of 16 years (range 7-36 years). In general, by age 35 years, 95% of individuals have polyps. Once they appear, the polyps generally rapidly increase in number; when colonic expression is fully developed, hundreds to thousands of colonic adenomatous polyps are typically observed. Without colectomy, colon cancer is essentially inevitable. The average age of colon cancer diagnosis in untreated individuals is 39 years (range 34-43 years). Other symptoms that can appear in conjunction with FAP are gastric polyps, adenomatous polyps of the small bowel, and extraintestinal manifestations including osteomas, dental abnormalities (e.g., unerupted teeth, congenital absence of one or more teeth, supernumerary teeth, dentigerous cysts, and odontomas), congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE), benign cutaneous lesions, desmoid tumors, adrenal masses and extracolonic cancers (e.g., small bowel, stomach, pancreas, thyroid, central nervous system, liver, bile ducts and adrenal glands).

Individuals with Gardner syndrome (GS) typically suffer from the colonic adenomatous polyposis of classic FAP with osteomas, and soft tissue tumors. Osteomas are typically found on the mandible and skull, although any bone of the body may be involved. Epidermoid cysts occur on any cutaneous surface and are mainly of cosmetic concern, as they do not appear to have malignant potential.

Individual suffering from Turcot syndrome typically exhibit colonic adenomatous polyposis of classic FAP and CNS tumors such as medulloblastoma. The risk of CNS tumors is substantially increased in persons with FAP generally, although the absolute risk is only approximately 1%.

Attenuated FAP (AFAP) is typically characterized by a significant risk for colon cancer, but fewer colonic polyps (average of 30) than classic FAP. Polyps tend to be found more proximally in the colon than in classic FAP. The average age of colon cancer diagnosis in individuals with AFAP is age 50-55 years—10-15 years later than in those with classic FAP, but earlier than that seen in individuals with sporadically occurring colon cancer. Upper gastrointestinal polyps and cancers may be seen in individuals with AFAP and, although the extraintestinal manifestations of FAP may be present, CHRPE lesions and desmoid tumors are rare.

IGF1R Inhibitors

The present invention comprises methods for treating or preventing any APC-mediated medical disorder such as FAP, in a subject, by administering one or more IGF1R inhibitors to the subject.

The term “IGF1R inhibitor” includes any substance that decreases the expression, ligand binding, kinase activity or any other biological or biochemical activity (e.g., promotion of cellular growth) of IGF1R that will elicit a biological or medical response of a tissue, system or subject that is being sought by the administrator (such as a researcher, doctor or veterinarian) which includes any measurable alleviation of the signs, symptoms and/or clinical indicia of an APC-mediated medical disorder (e.g., FAP). An IGF1R inhibitor can be a small organic or inorganic molecule, or a large molecule such as a polypeptide, an antibody, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, a polymer or a nucleic acid.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a patient in a method according to the invention is any isolated anti-insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF1R) antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof (e.g., monoclonal antibodies (e.g., fully human monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, Fab antibody fragments, F(ab)₂ antibody fragments, Fv antibody fragments (e.g., VH or VL), linear antibodies, single chain Fv antibody fragments, dsFv antibody fragments, humanized antibodies, chimeric antibodies or anti-idiotypic antibodies) such as any of those disclosed in any of Burtrum et. al Cancer Research 63:8912-8921 (2003); in French Patent Applications FR2834990, FR2834991 and FR2834900 and in PCT Application Publication Nos. WO 03/100008; WO 03/59951; WO 04/71529; WO 03/106621; WO 04/83248; WO 04/87756 and WO 02/53596.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a patient in a method according to the invention is an isolated anti-insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF1R) antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a mature or unprocessed 19D12/15H12 Light Chain-C, D, E or F and/or a mature 19D12/15H12 heavy chain-A or B. In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a patient in a method according to the invention is an isolated antibody that specifically binds to IGF1R that comprises one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of 19D12/15H12 Light Chain-C, D, E or F and/or 19D12/15H12 heavy chain-A or B (e.g., all 3 light chain CDRs and all 3 heavy chain CDRs).

The amino acid and nucleotide sequences of the 19D12/15H12 antibody chains are shown below, Dotted, underscored type indicates the signal peptide. Solid underscored type indicates the CDRs. Plain type indicates the framework regions. Mature fragments lack the signal peptide. Such sequences are also disclosed in published U.S. patent application no. US 2004/0018191 and in published international patent application no. WO 03/100008; each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Cell lines comprising plasmids comprising a CMV promoter operably linked to the 15H12/19D12 LCC, LCD, LCE, LCF or to the 15H12/19D12 HCA or HCB have been deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC); University Boulevard; Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 on May 21, 2003. The deposit names and the ATCC accession numbers for the cell lines are set forth below:

(1) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 HCA (γ4)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 HCA (γ4)”     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5214

(2) CMV promoter-15H12/19012 HOB (γ4)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 HCB (γ4)”     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5215

(3) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 HCA (γ1)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 RCA (γ1)”;     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5216

(4) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 LCC (κ)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 LCC (κ)”;     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5217

(5) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 LCD (κ)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 LCD (κ)”;     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5218

(6) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 LCE (κ)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 LCE (κ)”;     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5219

(7) CMV promoter-15H12/19D12 LCF (κ)—

-   -   Deposit name: “15H12/19D12 LCF (κ)”;     -   ATCC accession No.: PTA-5220

All restrictions on access to the plasmids deposited in ATCC will be removed upon grant of a patent. In an embodiment of the present invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention comprises any of the CDRs or Ig heavy or light chains or variable regions thereof (mature or unprocessed) in any of PTA-5214-PTA-5220. In an embodiment of the invention, the antibody comprises a mature (lacking signal sequence) light chain encoded by the plasmid deposited under number PTA-5220 and a mature (lacking signal sequence) heavy chain encoded by the plasmid deposited under number PTA-5214 or PTA-5216.

In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises one or more (e.g., 3) CDRs taken from 19D12/15H12 LC-C, D, E or F and/or one or more (e.g., 3) CDRs taken from 19D12/15H12 HC-A or B or any other immunoglobulin set forth herein as identified by the Chothia and/or Kabat system for identifying immunoglobulin domains (Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 186:651-663 (1985); Novotny and Haber, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:4592-4596 (1985) or Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)).

In an embodiment, an antibody that binds “specifically” to human IGF1R binds with Kd of about 1.28×10⁻¹⁰ M or less by Biacore measurement or with a Kd of about 2.05×10⁻¹² or less by KinExA measurement.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that can be administered to a patient in a method according to the invention comprises any light chain immunoglobulin and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin as set forth in Published International Application No. WO 2002/53596 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in an embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 47 and 51 as set forth in WO 2002/53596 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 45 and 49 as set forth in WO 2002/53596.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that can be administered to a patient in a method according to the invention comprises any light chain immunoglobulin and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin as set forth in Published International Application No. WO 2003/59951 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in an embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 54, 61 and 65 as set forth in WO 2003/59951 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 69, 75, 79 and 83 as set forth in WO 2003/59951.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that can be administered to a patient in a method according to the invention comprises any light chain immunoglobulin and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin as set forth in Published International Application No. WO 2004/83248 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in an embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 131, 133, 135, 137, 139, 141 and 143 as set forth in WO 2004/83248 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 as set forth in WO 2004183248.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that can be administered to a patient in a method according to the invention comprises any light chain immunoglobulin and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin as set forth in Published International Application No. WO 2003/106621 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in an embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 8-12, 58-69, 82-86, 90, 94, 96, 98, as set forth in WO 2003/106621 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 13, 70-81, 87, 88, 92 as set forth in WO 2003/106621.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that can be administered to a patient in a method according to the invention comprises any light chain immunoglobulin and/or a heavy chain immunoglobulin as set forth in Published International Application No. WO 2004/87756 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in an embodiment, the antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 as set forth in WO 2004/87756 and/or a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 as set forth in WO 2004/87756.

Furthermore, the scope of the present invention comprises any antibody or antibody fragment comprising one or more CDRs and/or framework regions of any of the light chain immunoglobulin or heavy chain immunoglobulins set forth in WO 2002/53596; WO 2003/59951; WO 2004/83248; WO 2003/106621 or WO 2004/87756 as identified by any of the methods set forth in Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 186:651-663 (1985); Novotny and Haber, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:4592-4596 (1985) or Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)).

In an embodiment of the invention, anti-IGF1R antibody is produced by a hybridoma that is deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under deposit no. PTA-2792, PTA-2788, PTA-2790, PTA-2791, PTA-2789 or PTA-2793.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

  1 grlgqawrsl rlscaasgft fsdyymswir qapgkglewv syisssgstr (SEQ ID NO: 13)  51 dyadsvkgrf tisrdnakns lylqmnslra edtavyycvr dgvettfyyy 101 yygmdvwgqg ttvtvssast kgpsvfplap csrstsesta algclvkdyf 151 pepvtvswns galtsgvhtf psca   1 vqilesgggl vqpggslrls ctasgftfss yamnwvrqap gkglewvsai (SEQ ID NO: 14)  51 sgsggttfya dsvkgrftis rdnsrttlyl qmnslraedt avyycakdig 101 wsdsyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvss   1 gpglvkpset lsltctvsgg sisnyywswi rqpagkglew igriytsgsp (SEQ ID NO: 15)  51 nynpslksrv tmsvdtsknq fslklnsvta adtavyycav tifgvviifd 101 ywgqgtlvtv ss   1 evqllesggg lvqpggslrl scaasgftfs syamswvrqa pgkglewvsa (SEQ ID NO: 16)  51 isgsggityy adsvkgrfti srdnskntly lqmnslraed tavyycakdl 101 gygdfyyyyy gmdvwgqgtt vtvss   1 pglvkpsetl sltctvsggs issyywswir qppgkglewi gyiyysgstn (SEQ ID NO: 17)  51 ynpslksrvt isvdtsknqf slklssvtaa dtavyycart ysssfyyygm 101 dvwgqgttvt vss   1 evqllesggg lvqpggslrl scaasgftfs syamswvrqa pgkglewvsg (SEQ ID NO: 18)  51 itgsggstyy adsvkgrfti srdnskntly iqmnslraed tavyycakdp 101 gttvimswfd pwgqgtlvtv ss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises an immunoglobulin light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

  1 asvgdrvtft crasqdirrd lgwyqqkpgk apkrliyaas rlgsgvpsrf (SEQ ID NO: 19)  51 sgsgsgteft ltisslqped fatyyclqhn nyprtfgqgt eveiirtvaa 101 psvfifppsd eqlksgtasv vcllnnfypr eakvqw   1 diqmtqfpss isasvgdrvt itcrasqgir ndlgwyqqkp gkapkrliya (SEQ ID NO: 20)  51 asrlhrgvps rfsgsgsgte ftltisslqp edfatyyclq hnsypcsfgq 101 gtkleik   1 sslsasvgdr vtftcrasqd irrdlgwyqq kpgkapkrli yaasrlqsgv (SEQ ID NO: 21)  51 psrfsgsgsg teftltissl qpedfatyyc lqhnnyprtf gqgteveiir   1 diqmtqspss lsasvgdrvt itcrasqgir sdlgwfqqkp gkapkrliya (SEQ ID NO: 22)  51 asklhrgvps rfsgsgsgte ftltisriqp edfatyyclq hnsypltfgg 101 gtkveik   1 gdrvtitcra sqsistflnw yqqkpgkapk llihvassiq ggvpsrfsgs (SEQ ID NO: 23)  51 gsgtdftlti sslqpedfat yycqqsynap ltfgggtkve ik   1 ratlscrasq svrgrylawy qqkpgqaprl liygassrat gipdrfsgsg (SEQ ID NO: 24)  51 sgtdftltis rlepedfavf ycqqygsspr tfgqgtkvei k

In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody comprises a light chain immunoglobulin, or a mature fragment thereof (i.e., lacking signal sequence), or variable region thereof, comprising the amino acid sequence of:

  1 mdmrvpaqll gllllwfpga rcdiqmtqsp sslsasvgdr vtitcrasqg (SEQ ID NO: 25)  51 irndlgwyqq kpgkapkrli yaasslqsgv psrfsgsgsg teftltissl 101 qpedfatyyc lqhnsypwtf gqgtkveikr tvaapsvfif ppsdeqlksg 151 tasvvcllnn fypreakvqw kvdnalqsgn sqesvteqds kdstyslsst 201 ltlskadyek hkvyacevth qglsspvtks fnrgec;   1 mdmrvpaqll gllllwfpga rcdiqmtqsp sslsasvgdr vtftcrasqd (SEQ ID NO: 26)  51 irrdlgwvqq kpgkapkrli yaasrlqsgv psrfsgsgsg teftltissl 101 qpedfatyyc lqhnnyprtf gqgteveiir tvaapsvfif ppsdeqlksg 151 tasvvcllnn fypreakvqw kvdnalqsgn sqesvteqds kdstyslsst 201 ltlskadyek hkvyacevth qglsspvtks fnrgec;   1 mdmrvpaqll gllllwfpga rcdiqmtqsp sslsasvgdr vtitcrasqg (SEQ ID NO: 27)  51 irndlgwyqq kpgkapkrli yaasslqsgv psrfsgsgsg teftltissl 101 qpedfatyyc lqhnsypytf gqgtkleikr tvaapsvfif ppsdeqlksg 151 tasvvcllnn fypreakvqw kvdnalqsgn sqesvteqds kdstyslsst 201 ltlskadyek hkvyacevth qgisspvtks fnrgec; or   1 mdmrvpaqll gllllwfpga rcdiqmtqfp sslsasvgdr vtitcrasqg (SEQ ID NO: 28)  51 irndlgwyqq kpgkapkrli vaasrlhrgv pprfsgsgsg teftltissl 101 qpedfatyyc lqhnsypcsf gqgtkleikr tvaapsvfif ppsdeqlksg 151 tasvvcllnn fypreakvqw kvdnalqsgn sqesvteqds kdstyslsst 201 ltlskadyek hkvyacevth qglsspvtks fnrgec. In an embodiment of the invention, the signal sequence is amino acids 1-22 of SEQ ID NOs: 25-28. In an embodiment of the invention, the mature variable region is underscored.

In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody comprises a heavy chain immunoglobulin or a mature fragment thereof (i.e., lacking signal sequence), or a variable region thereof, comprising the amino acid sequence of:

  1 mefglswvfl vaiikgvqcq vqlvesgggl vkpggslrls caasgftfsd (SEQ ID NO: 29)  51 yymswirqap gkglewvsyi sssgstiyya dsvkgrftis rdnaknslyl 101 qmnslraedt avyycarvlr flewllyyyy yygmdvwgqg ttvtvssast 151 kgpsvfplap csrstsesta algclvkdyf pepvtvswns galtsgvhtf 201 pavlqssgly slssvvtvps snfgtqtytc nvdhkpsntk vdktverkcc 251 vecppcpapp vagpsvflfp pkpkdtlmis rtpevtcvvv dvshedpevq 301 fnwyvdgvev hnaktkpree qfnstfrvvs vltvvhqdwl ngkeykckvs 351 nkglpapiek tisktkgqpr epqvytlpps reemtknqvs ltclvkgfyp 401 sdiavewesn gqpennyktt ppmldsdgsf flyskltvdk srwqqgnvfs 451 csvmhealhn hytqkslsls pgk;   1 mefglswvfl vaiikgvqcq aqlvesgggl vkpggslrls caasgftfsd (SEQ ID NO: 30)  51 yymswirqap gkglewvsyi sssgstrdya dsvkgrftis rdnaknslyl 101 qmnslrsedt avyycvrdgv ettfyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvssastkgp 151 svfplapcsr stsestaalg clvkdyfpep vtvswnsgal tsgvhtfpav 201 lgssglysls svvtvpssnf gtqtytcnvd hkpsntkvdk tverkccvec 251 ppcpappvag psvflfppkp kdtlmisrtp evtcvvvdvs hedpevqfnw 301 yvdgvevhna ktkpreeqfn stfrvvsvlt vvhqdwlngk eykckvsnkg 351 lpapiektis ktkgqprepq vytlppsree mtknqvsltc lvkgfypsdi 401 avewesngqp ennykttppm ldsdgsffly skltvdksrw qqgnvfscsv 451 mhealhnhyt qkslslspgk;   1 mefglswlfl vailkgvqce vqllesgggl vqpggslrls caasgftfss (SEQ ID NO: 31)  51 yamswvrqap gkglewvsai sgsggstyya dsvkgrftis rdnskntlyl 101 qmnslraedt avyycakgys sgwyyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvssastkgp 151 svfplapcsr stsestaalg clvkdyfpep vtvswnsgal tsgvhtfpav 201 lqssglysls svvtvpssnf gtqtytcnvd hkpsntkvdk tverkccvec 251 ppcpappvag psvflfppkp kdtlmisrtp evtcvvvdvs hedpevqfnw 301 yvdgvevhna ktkpreeqfn stfrvvsvlt vvhqdwlngk eykckvsnkg 351 lpapiektis ktkgqprepq vytlppsree mtknqvsltc lvkgfypsdi 401 avewesngqp ennykttppm ldsdgsffly skltvdksrw qqgnvfscsv 451 mhealhnhyt gkslslspgk; or   1 mefglswlfl vailkgvqce vqllesgggl vqpggslrls ctasgftfss (SEQ ID NO: 32)  51 yamnwvrqap gkglewvsai sgsggttfya dsvkgrftis rdnsrttlyl 101 qmnslraedt avyycakdlg wsdsyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvssastkgp 151 svfplapcsr stsestaalg clvkdyfpep vtvswnsgal tsgvhtfpav 201 lqssglysls svvtvpssnf gtqtytcnvd hkpsntkvdk tverkccvec 251 ppcpappvag psvflfppkp kdtlmisrtp evtcvvvdvs hedpevqfnw 301 yvdgvevhna ktkpreeqfn stfrvvsvlt vvhqdwlngk eykckvsnkg 351 lpapiektis ktkgqprepq vytlppsree mtknqvsltc lvkgfypsdi 401 avewesngqp ennykttppm ldsdgsffly skltvdksrw gqgnvfscsv 451 mhealhnhyt qkslslspgk. In an embodiment of the invention, the signal sequence is amino adds 1-19 of SEQ ID NOs: 29-32. In an embodiment of the invention, the mature variable region is underscored.

In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody comprises a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 19-24 paired with a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 13-18, respectively. In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody comprises a mature light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 25 or 26 paired with a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 29 or 30. In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-IGF1R antibody comprises a mature light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 27 or 28 paired with a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 31 or 32.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain or mature fragment or variable region of 2.12.1 fx (SEQ ID NO: 33) (in an embodiment of the invention, the leader sequence is underscored):

  1 mefglswvfl vaiikgvacq vqlvesgggl vkpggslrls caasgftfsd  51 yymswirqap gkglewvsyi sssgstrdya dsvkgrftis rdnaknslyl 101 qmnslraedt avyycardgv ettfyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvssastkgp 151 svfplapcsr stsestaalg clvkdyfpep vtvswnsgal tsavhtfpav 201 lqssglysls svvtvpssnf gtqtytcnvd hkpsntkvdk tverkccvec 251 ppcpappvag psvflfppkp kdtlmisrtp evtcvvvdvs hedpevqfnw 301 yvdgvevhna ktkpreeqfn stfrvvsvlt vvhqdwlngk eykckvsnkg 351 lpapiektis ktkgqprepq vytlppsree mtknqvsltc lvkgfypsdi 401 avewesngqp ennykttppm ldsdgsffly skltvdksrw qqgnvfscsv 451 mhealhnhyt gkslslspgk

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises mature immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region 2.12.1 fx (amino acids 20-144 or SEQ ID NO: 33; SEQ ID NO: 34):

q vqlvesgggl vkpggslrls caasgftfsd yymswirqap gkglewvsyi sssgstrdya dsvkgrftis rdnaknslyl qmnslraedt avyycardgv ettfyyyyyg mdvwgqgttv tvss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises an immunoglobulin light chain or mature fragment or variable region 2.12.1 fx (SEQ ID NO: 35) (in an embodiment of the invention, the leader sequence is underscored):

  1 mdmrvpaqll gllllwfpga rcdiqmtqsp sslsasvgdr vtitcrasqd  51 irrdlgwyqq kpgkapkrli yaasrlqsgv psrfsgsgsg teftltissl 101 qpedfatyyc lqhnnyprtf gqgtkveikr tvaapsvfif ppsdeqlksg 151 tasvvcllnn fypreakvqw kvdnalqsgn sqesvteqds kdstyslsst 201 ltlskadyek hkvyacevth qglsspvtks fnrgec

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises mature immunoglobulin light chain variable region 2.12.1 fx (amino acids 23-130 of SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36):

diqmtqsp sslsasvgdr vtitcrasqd irrdlgwyqq kpgkapkrli yaasrlqsgv psrfsgsgsg teftltissl  qpedfatyyc lqhnnyprtf gqgtkveikr

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises a humanized 7010 immunoglobulin light chain variable region; version 1 (SEQ ID NO: 37):

  1 dvvmtqspls lpvtpgepas iscrssqsiv hsngntylqw ylqkpgqspq  51 lliykvsnrl ygvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedvgv yycfqgshvp 101 wtfgqgtkve ik

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises humanized 7010 immunoglobulin light chain variable region; version 2 (SEQ ID NO: 38):

  1 divmtqspls lpvtpgepas iscrssqsiv hsngntylqw ylqkpgqspq  51 lliykvsnrl ygvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedvgv yycfqgshvp 101 wtfgqgtkve ik

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises a humanized 7010 immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region; version 1 (SEQ ID NO: 39):

  1 qvqlqesgpg lvkpsetlsl tctvsgysit ggylwnwirq ppgkglewmg  51 yisydgtnny kpslkdriti srdtsknqfs lklssvtaad tavyycaryg 101 rvffdywgqg tlvtvss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises the humanized 7010 immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region; version 2 (SEQ ID NO: 40):

  1 qvglqesgpg lvkpsetlsl tctvsgysit ggylwnwirq ppgkglewig  51 yisydgtnny kpslkdrvti srdtsknqfs lklssvtaad tavyycaryg 101 rvffdywgqg tivtvss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises the humanized 7010 immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region; version 3 (SEQ ID NO: 41):

  1  qvqlqesgpg lvkpsetlsl tctvsgysis ggylwnwirq ppgkglewig  51 yisydgtnny kpslkdrvti svdtsknqfs lklssvtaad tavyycaryg 101 rvffdywgqg tlvtvss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises A12 immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 42):

  1 evqlvqsgae vkkpgssvkv sckasggtfs syaiswvrqa pgqglewmgg  51 iipifgtany aqkfqgrvti tadkststay melsslrsed tavyycarap 101 lrflewstqd hyyyyymdvw gkgttvtvss

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises A12 immunoglobulin light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 43):

  1  sseltqdpav svalgqtvri tcqgdslrsy yaswyqqkpg qapvlviygk  51 nnrpsgipdr fsgsssgnta sltitgaqae deadyycnsr dnsdnrlifg 101 ggtkltvls or (SEQ ID NO: 105):   1  sseltqdpav svalgqtvri tcqgdslrsy yatwyqqkpg qapilviyge    51  nkrpsgipdr fsgsssgnta sltitgaqae deadyycksr dgsgqhlvfg 101 ggtkltvlg

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises 1A immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 44):

  1  evqlvqsggg lvhpggslrl scagsgftfr nyamywvrqa pgkglewvsa  51 igsgggtyya dsvkgrftis rdnaknslyl qmnslraedm avyycarapn 101 wgsdafdiwg qgtmvtvss optionally including one or more of the following mutations: R30, S30, N31, S31, Y94, H94, D104, E104.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises 1A immunoglobulin light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 45):

  1 digmtqspss lsasvgdrvt itcrasqgis swlawyqqkp ekapksliya  51 asslqsgvps rfsgsgsgtd ftltisslqp edfatyycqq ynsypptfgp 101 gtkvdik optionally including one or more of the following mutations: P96, I96, P100, Q100, 8103, K103, V104, L104, D105, E105

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 8A1 (SEQ ID NO: 46):

  1 evglvqsgae vkkpgeslti sckgpgynff nywigwvrqm pgkglewmgi  51  iyptdsdtry spsfqgqvti svdksistay lqwsslkasd tamyycarsi 101 rycpggrcys gyygmdvwgq gtmvtvssgg ggsggggsgg ggsseltqdp 151 avsvalgqtv ritcqgdslr syyaswyqqk pgqapvlviy gknnrpsgip 201 drfsgsssgn tasltitgaq aedeadyycn srdssgnhvv fgggtkltvl 251 g

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 9A2 (SEQ ID NO: 47):

  1 qvqlvqsgae vrkpgasvkv scktsgytfr nydinwvrqa pgqglewmgr  51 isghygntdh agkfqgrftm tkdtststay melrsltfdd tavyycarsq 101 wnvdywgrgt lvtvssgggg sggggsgggg salnfmltqp hsvsespgkt 151 vtisctrssg siasnyvqwy qqrpgssptt vifednrrps gvpdrfsgsi 201 dtssnsaslt isglktedea dyycqsfdst nlvvfgggtk vtvlg

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 11A4 (SEQ ID NO: 48):

  1 evgllesggg lvqpggslrl scaasgftfs syamswvrga pgkglewvsa  51 isgsggstyy adsvkgrfti srdnskntly lgmnslraed tavyycassp 101 yssrwysfdp wgqgtmvtvs sggggsgggg sggggsalsy eltqppsysv 151 spgqtatitc sgddlgnkyv swyqqkpgqs pvlviyqdtk rpsgiperfs 201 gsnsgniatl tisgtgavde adyycqvwdt gtvvfgggtk ltvlg

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 7A4 (SEQ ID NO: 49):

  1 evglvgsgae vkkpgeslti sckgsgynff nywigwvrgm pgkdlewmgi  51 iyptdsdtry spsfqgqvti svdksistay lqwsslkasd tamyycarsi 101 rycpggrcys gyygmdvwgq gtmvtvssgg gssggggsgg ggsseltqdp 151 avsvalgqtv ritcrgdslr nyyaswyqqk pgqapvlviy gknnrpsgip 201 drfsgsssgn tasltitgaq aedeadyycn srdssgnhmv fgggtkltvl 251 g

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 11A1 (SEQ ID NO: 50):

  1 evqlvesggg vvqpgrslrl scaasgftfs dfamhwvrqi pgkglewlsg  51  lrhdgstayy agsvkgrfti srdnsrntvy lqmnslraed tatyycvtgs 131 gssgphafpv wgkgtlvtvs sggggsgggg sggggsalsy vltqppsasg 151 tpgqrvtisc sgsnsnigty tvnwfqqlpg tapklliysn nqrpsgvpdr 201 fsgsksgtsa slaisglqse deadyycaaw ddslngpvfg ggtkvtvlg

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody of the invention comprises single chain antibody (fv) 7A6 (SEC) ID NO: 51)

  1 evqlvqsgae vkkpgeslti sckgsgynff nywigwvrqm pgkglewmgi  51 iyptdsdtry spsfqgqvti svdksistay lqwsslkasd tamyycarsi 101 rycpggrcys gyygmdvwgq gtlvtvssgg ggsggggsgg ggsseltqdp 151 avsvalgqtv ritcqgdslr syytnwfqqk pgqapllvvy aknkrpsgip 201 drfsgsssgn tasltitgaq aedeadyycn srdssgnhvv fgggtkltvl 251 g

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof (e.g., a heavy chain or light chain immunoglobulin) of the invention comprises one or more complementarity determining regions (CDR) selected from the group consisting of:

(SEQ ID NO: 52) sywmh; (SEQ ID NO: 53) einpsngrtnynekfkr; (SEQ ID NO: 54) grpdyygsskwyfdv; (SEQ ID NO: 55) rssqsivhsnvntyle; (SEQ ID NO: 56) kvsnrfs; and (SEQ ID NO: 57) fqgshvppt.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention comprises a heavy chain immunoglobulin variable region selected from the group consisting of:

(SEQ ID NO: 58)   1  qvqlvqsgae vvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhyvkqr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nqkfqgkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgqgttv tvs; (SEQ ID NO: 59)   1  qvqfqqsgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sylmhwikqr pgrglewigr  51 idpnnvvtkf nekfkskatl tvdkpsstay melssltsed savyycarya 101 ycrpmdywgq gttvtvss; (SEQ ID NO: 60)   1 qvqlqqsgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkgr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nekfkrkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgagttv tvs; (SEQ ID NO: 61)   1 qvqlqqsgae lmkpgasvki sckatgytfs sfwiewvkqr pghglewige  51 ilpgsggthy nekfkgkatf tadkssntay mqlssltsed savyycargh 101 syyfydgdyw gqgtsvtvss; (SEQ ID NO: 62)   1 qvqlqqpgsv lvrpgasvkl sckasgytft sswihwakqr pgqglewige  51 ihpnsgntny nekfkgkatl tvdtssstay vdlssltsed savyycarwr 101 ygspyyfdyw gqgttltvss; (SEQ ID NO: 63)   1 qvqiqqpgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgrglewigr  51  idpnsggtky nekfkskatl tvdkpsstay mqlssltsed savyycaryd 101 yygssyfdyw gqgttltvss; (SEQ ID NO: 64)   1  qvqlvqsgae vvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nqkfqgkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgqgttv tvs; (SEQ ID NO: 65)   1  qvqlqqsgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nekfkrkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgagttv tvss; (SEQ ID NO: 66)   1  qvqlvqsgae vvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nqkfqgkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgqgttv tvss; (SEQ ID NO: 67)   1 qvqlqqsgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgrglewigr  51 idpnsggtky nekfkskatl tvdkpsstay mqlssltsed savyycaryd 101 yygssyfdyw gqgttvtvss; (SEQ ID NO: 68)   1 qiqlqqsgpe lvrpgasvki sckasgytft dyyinwvkqr pgeglewigw  51  iypgsgntky nekfkgkatl tvdtssstay mqlssltsed savyfcargg 101 kfamdywgqg tsvtvss; (SEQ ID NO: 69)   1 qvqlqqsgae lvkpgasvkl sckasgytft sywmhwvkqr pgqglewige  51 inpsngrtny nekfkrkatl tvdkssstay mqlssltsed savyyfargr 101 pdyygsskwy fdvwgagttv tvss; (SEQ ID NO: 70)   1  qiqlqqsgpe lvkpgasvki sckasgytft dyyinwmkqk pgqglewigw  51 idpgsgntky nekfkgkatl tvdtssstay mqlssltsed tavyfcarek 101 ttyyyamdyw gqgtsvtvsa; (SEQ ID NO: 71)   1  vqlqqsgael mkpgasvkis ckasgytfsd ywiewvkqrp ghglewigei  51 lpgsgstnyh erfkgkatft adtssstaym qlnsltseds gvyyclhgny 101 dfdgwgqgtt ltvss;   and (SEQ ID NO: 72)   1 qvqllesgae lmkpgasvki sckatgytfs sfwiewvkqr pghglewige  51 ilpgsggthy nekfkgkatf tadkssntay mqlssltsed savyycargh 101 syyfydgdyw gqgtsvtvss;

and/or a light chain immunoglobulin variable region selected from the group consisting of:

(SEQ ID NO: 73)   1 dvlmtqipvs lpvslgdgas iscrssqiiv hnngntylew ylqkpgqspq  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ftfgsgtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 74)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvsigdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 75)   1  dvlmtqfpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 76)   1  dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssgsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 77)   1  dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssgsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 78)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssgxiv hsngntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 xtfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 79)   1  dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 80)   1  dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssgsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 81)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 82)   1  dvlmtqipvs lpvslgdqas iscrssqiiv hnngntylew ylgkpgqspg  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ftfgsgtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 83)   1 dvlmtqtpis lpvslgdgas iscrfsqsiv hsngntylew ylqksgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 rtfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 84)   1  dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlri srveaedigi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 85)   1 dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 86)   1  elvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqtiv hsngdtyldw flqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 87)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssgsiv hsnvntylew ylgkpgqspk  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 88)   1 dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 89)   1 dvlmtqtpvs lsvslgdgas iscrssqsiv hstgntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykisnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqashap 101 rtfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 90)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdpas isckssqsiv hssgntyfew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgship 101 ftfgsgtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 91)   1  dieltqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqsiv hsngntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ytfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 92)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 93)   1  dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdgas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspr  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 94)   1  dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51  lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 95)   1 dvvmtqtpls lpvslgdpas iscrssqsiv hsnvntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gagtdftlri srveaedlgi yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 96)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrsnqtil lsdgdtylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvsnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ptfgggtkle ikr; (SEQ ID NO: 97)   1  dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqtiv hsngntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliykvtnrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srveaedlgv yycfqgthap 101 ytfgggtkle ikr; and (SEQ ID NO: 98)   1 dvlmtqtpls lpvslgdqas iscrssqsiv hsngntylew ylqkpgqspk  51 lliysissrf sgvpdrfsgs gsgtdftlki srvgaedlgv yycfqgshvp 101 ytfgggtkle ikr.

The scope of the present invention includes methods wherein a patient is administered an anti-insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF1R) antibody wherein the variable region of the antibody is linked to any immunoglobulin constant region. In an embodiment, the light chain variable region is linked to a K chain constant region. In an embodiment, the heavy chain variable region is linked to a γ1, γ2, γ3 or γ4 chain constant region. Any of the immunoglobulin variable regions set forth herein, in embodiments of the invention, can be linked to any of the foregoing constant regions.

In an embodiment of the invention, a linear antibody is an antibody fragment as described in Zapata et al. Protein Eng. 8(10):1057-1062 (1995). Briefly, these fragments comprise a pair of tandem Fd segments (VH-CH1-VH-CH1) which form a pair of antigen-binding regions. Linear antibodies can be bispecific or monospecific.

In an embodiment of the invention, single-chain Fv or sFv antibody fragments comprise the VH and VL domains of an antibody, wherein these domains are present in a single polypeptide chain. Generally, the Fv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and VL domains which enables the sFv to form the desired structure for antigen binding. For a review of sFv see Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315 (1994).

In an embodiment of the invention, an immunoliposome is a liposome including an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Liposomes containing the antibody or fragment can be prepared by methods known in the art, such as described in Epstein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:3688 (1985); Hwang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4030 (1980); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and 4,544,545. Liposomes with enhanced circulation time are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,556. Other useful liposomes can be generated by the reverse phase evaporation method with a lipid composition comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and PEG-derivatized phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through filters of defined pore size to yield liposomes with the desired diameter. Fab fragments of an anti-IGF1R antibody can be conjugated to the liposomes as described in Martin et al. J. Biol. Chem. 257: 286-288 (1982) via a disulfide interchange reaction.

In an embodiment of the invention, a bispecific or bifunctional antibody is an artificial hybrid antibody having two different heavy/light chain pairs and two different binding sites. Bispecific antibodies can be produced by a variety of methods including fusion of hybridomas or linking of Fab′ fragments. See, e.g., Songsivilai, et al., (1990) Olin. Exp. Immunol. 79: 315-321, Kostelny, et al., (1992) J. Immunol. 148:1547-1553. In addition, bispecific antibodies may be formed as “diabodies” (Holliger, et al., (1993) PNAS USA 90:6444-6448) or as “Janusins” (Traunecker, et al., (1991) EMBO J. 10:3655-3659 and Traunecker, et al., (1992) Int. J. Cancer Suppl. 7:51-52).

In an embodiment of the invention, a chimeric antibody is an antibody which comprises a variable region of the present invention fused or chimerized with an antibody region (e.g., constant region) from another, non-human species (e.g., mouse, horse, rabbit, dog, cow, chicken).

In an embodiment of the invention, a disulfide stabilized Fv fragment or dsFv is an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a variable heavy chain (VH) and a variable light chain (VL) which are linked by a disulfide bridge.

In an embodiment of the invention, an antigen-binding fragment is a F(ab)₂ fragments which may be produced by enzymatic cleavage of an IgG by, for example, pepsin; or a Fab fragment that may be produced by, for example, reduction of F(ab)₂ with dithiothreitol or mercaptoethylamine. In an embodiment of the invention, a Fab fragment is a VL-CL chain appended to a VH-CH1 chain by a disulfide bridge. In an embodiment of the invention, a F(ab)₂ fragment is two Fab fragments which, in turn, are appended by two disulfide bridges. The Fab portion of an F(ab)₂ molecule includes a portion of the Fc region between which disulfide bridges are located.

In an embodiment of the invention, an FV fragment is a VL or VH region of an antibody.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGFR1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is conjugated to a chemical moiety. In an embodiment of the invention, the chemical moiety is a polymer which increases the half-life of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in the body of a subject. Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG) (e.g., PEG with a molecular weight of 2 kDa, 5 kDa, 10 kDa, 12 kDa, 20 kDa, 30 kDa or 40 kDa), dextran and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG). Lee, et al., (1999) (Bioconj. Chem. 10:973-981) discloses PEG conjugated single-chain antibodies.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a subject or patient in a method according to the invention is AEW-541 (NVP-AEW-541; NVP-AEW-541-NX-7):

(Novartis; East Hanover, N.J.; see WO 2002/92599); or (WO 2003/39538).

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a patient in a method according to the invention is any IGF1R anti-sense nucleic acid. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the anti-sense IGF1R nucleic acid is ATL-1101 (Antisense Therapeutics Ltd; Australia). In an embodiment of the invention, the IGF1R anti-sense nucleic acid comprises any of the following nucleotide sequences: 5′-ATCTCTCCGCTTCCTTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 99), 5′-ATCTCTCCGCTTCCTTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 100), 5″-ATCTCTCCGCTTCCTTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 101) or any IGF1R antisense nucleic acid set forth in any of US Published Patent Application No. US20030096769; Published International Application No. WO 2003/100059; Fogarty et al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 2002 December; 12(6):369-77; White et al, J Invest Dermatol. 2002 June; 118(6): 1003-7; White at al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 2000 June; 10(3):195-203; or Wraight at al., Nat. Biotechnol. 2000 May; 18(5):521-6.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor that is administered to a patient in a method according to the invention is an anti-IGF-I or II antibody; for example, any antibody disclosed in WO 2003/93317 or EP00492552.

The scope of the present invention includes any kinase inhibitor compound set forth in published international applications WO 2004/030627 or WO 2004/030625. In an embodiment, the kinase inhibitor is (±)-4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-ethylamino]-3-[6-(imidazol-1-yl)-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-1H-pyridin-2-one:

In an embodiment of the invention, the IGR1R inhibitor is a soluble fragment of IGF1R (e.g., amino acids 30-902 of IGF1R) or siRNA (small interfering RNA) against IGF1R.

In an embodiment, IGF1R comprises the amino acid sequence set forth under Genbank® Accession No.: XM_(—)052648 or NM_(—)000612.

The present invention also includes embodiments wherein the patient receives both an IGF1R inhibitor in association with one or more other agents that are useful for the treatment or prevention of any APC-mediated medical disorder such as FAP. In an embodiment, the other agent is an anti-inflammatory agent such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. For example, a suitable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is sulindac, aptosyn (sulindac sulfone), indomethacin, rofecoxib, celecoxib or aspirin. In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor is administered along with dietary calcium supplementation (e.g., 1,250 to 2,000 mg of calcium; e.g., 1500 or 3000 mg/day calcium carbonate) or dietary supplementation with retinoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, selenium, folate or methionine. The present invention further includes embodiment wherein two or more IGF1R inhibitors are administered in association with one another.

The present invention also comprise embodiments wherein a subject is administered an IGF1R inhibitor to treat or prevent any APC-mediated medical disorder such as FAP in association with a medical therapeutic or diagnostic procedure. For example, an IGF1R inhibitor can be administered in association with colectomy (e.g., total colectomy with mucosal proctectomy with ileo-anal pull through or subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis), surgical osteoma removal, endoscopic or surgical removal of adenomas (e.g., duodenal adenomas), screening for hepatoblastoma by ultrasound examination, measurement of serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy or small bowel X-ray.

The term “in association” indicates that the components of the combinations of the invention can be formulated into a single composition for simultaneous delivery or formulated separately into two or more compositions (e.g., a kit). Moreover, compositions and procedures making up combinations of the invention can be administered simultaneously or non-simultaneously. Furthermore, each component of a combination of the invention can be administered to a subject at a different time than when the other component is administered and in any order or permutation; for example, each administration may be given non-simultaneously at several intervals over a given period of time. Moreover, the separate components may be administered to a subject by the same or by a different route (e.g., orally, intravenously, intratumorally).

The scope of the present invention encompasses compositions comprising any IGF1R inhibitor (e.g., as set forth herein) in association with any chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., as set forth herein) known to be useful for treating or preventing any APC-mediated medical disorder such as FAP (e.g., celecoxib) along with pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Generation of Antibodies

Any suitable method can be used to elicit an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof with the desired biologic properties to inhibit IGF1R. It is desirable to prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from various mammalian hosts, such as mice, rodents, primates, humans, etc. Description of techniques for preparing such monoclonal antibodies may be found in, e.g., Stites, et al. (eds.) BASIC AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (4th ed.) Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Calif., and references cited therein; Harlow and Lane (1988) ANTIBODIES: A LABORATORY MANUAL CSH Press; Goding (1986) MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (2d ed.) Academic Press, New York, N.Y. Thus, monoclonal antibodies may be obtained by a variety of techniques familiar to researchers skilled in the art. Typically, spleen cells from an animal immunized with a desired antigen are immortalized, commonly by fusion with a myeloma cell. See Kohler and Milstein (1976) Eur. J. Immunol. 6:511-519. Alternative methods of immortalization include transformation with Epstein Barr Virus, oncogenes, or retroviruses, or other methods known in the art. See, e.g., Doyle, at al. (eds. 1994 and periodic supplements) CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE: LABORATORY PROCEDURES, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. Colonies arising from single immortalized cells are screened for production of antibodies of the desired specificity and affinity for the antigen, and yield of the monoclonal antibodies produced by such cells may be enhanced by various techniques, including injection into the peritoneal cavity of a vertebrate host. Alternatively, one may isolate DNA sequences which encode a monoclonal antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof by screening a DNA library from human B cells according, e.g., to the general protocol outlined by Huse, at al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281. Modified antibodies can be generated, for example, by introducing mutations in DNA encoding an immunoglobulin chain, for example, by use of conventional recombinant biological techniques.

Other suitable techniques involve selection of libraries of antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See, e.g., Huse et al., Science 246:1275-1281 (1989); and Ward al., Nature 341:544-546 (1989).

In an embodiment of the invention, recombinant immunoglobulins are produced, see Cabilly U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Queen et al. (1989) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029-10033; or made in transgenic mice, see Mendez et al. (1997) Nature Genetics 15:146-156. Further methods for producing chimeric, humanized and human antibodies are well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,101, issued to Queen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539, issued to Winter et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397 issued to Boss et al, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In an embodiment of the invention, a fully-human monoclonal antibody directed against IGF1R is generated using transgenic mice carrying parts of the human immune system rather than the mouse system. These transgenic mice, which may be referred to, herein, as “HuMAb” mice, contain a human immunoglobulin gene miniloci that encodes unrearranged human heavy (μ and γ) and κ light chain immunoglobulin sequences, together with targeted mutations that inactivate the endogenous μ and κ chain loci (see e.g., Lonberg N et al., (1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859; Lonberg N, at al., (1994), supra; reviewed in Lonberg, N. (1994) Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 113:49-101; Lonberg. N., at al., (1995) Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93, and Harding, F., et al., (1995) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 764:536-546; in Taylor, L., at al., (1992) Nucleic Acids Research 20:6287-6295; Chen, J., at al., (1993) International Immunology 5: 647-656; Tuaillon, et al., (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:3720-3724; Choi, et al., (1993) Nature Genetics 4:117-123; Chen, J., et al., (1993) EMBO J. 12: 821-830; Tuaillon, et al., (1994) J. Immunol. 152:2912-2920; Lonberg, et al., (1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859; Lonberg, N. (1994) Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 113:49-101; Taylor, L., et al., (1994) International Immunology 6: 579-591; Lonberg, N., et al., (1995) Intern. Rev. Immunol. Vol. 13: 65-93; Harding, F., et al., (1995) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 764:536-546; Fishwild, D., et al., (1996) Nature Biotechnology 14: 845-851 and Harding, at al., (1995) Annals NY Acad. Sci. 764:536-546; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,789,650; 5,877,397; 5,661,016; 5,814,318; 5,874,299; 5,770,429 and 5,545,807; and International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 98/24884; WO 94/25585; WO 93/12227; WO 92/22645 and WO 92/03918).

A plasmid system set forth in published U.S. patent application no. US2005/0176099 is also useful of the generation of an anti-IGF1R antibody of the present invention (e.g., LCF/HCA).

Dosage

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor is administered to a patient at a “therapeutically effective dosage” or “therapeutically effective amount” which inhibits an APC-mediated disease or condition (e.g., FAP) to any extent—e.g., by at least about 20%, 40%, 60% or 80%-100% relative to untreated subjects.

In an embodiment of the invention, the term “therapeutically effective amount” or “therapeutically effective dosage” means that amount or dosage of an IGF1R inhibitor (e.g., an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof) that will elicit a biological or medical response of a tissue, system, subject or host that is being sought by the administrator (such as a researcher, doctor or veterinarian) which includes any measurable alleviation of the signs, symptoms and/or clinical indicia of an APC-mediated disease (e.g., FAP) and/or the prevention, slowing or halting of progression of FAP to any degree.

A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art may determine and prescribe the effective amount of IGF1R inhibitor required for an optimal clinical result depending on the circumstances of the particular patient. For example, the physician or veterinarian could start doses of an IGF1R inhibitor employed in the pharmaceutical composition at levels lower than that required in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. The effectiveness of a given dose or treatment regimen of IGF1R inhibitor can be determined, for example, by consideration of any of several observed clinical indicia. Proper adjustments to dosage and/or regimen can then be made by the clinician so as to reach the best result. For example, a clinician can monitor the responsiveness of an APC-mediated disease (e.g., FAP, Gardner Syndrome or Turcot Syndrome) to a given course of treatment by any appropriate means. For example, responsiveness can be monitored by performing sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to visualize the condition of the subject's colon. A clinician can monitor the state of any upper gastrointestinal tract polyps (e.g., in the stomach, duodenum or papilla), in a subject, by way of an upper endoscopic examination (e.g., a forward and a side viewing endoscopic examination). Another monitoring method includes patient interviews to determine the presence and severity of any symptoms associated with FAP, for example, blood in the stool, diarrhea that is not the result of diet or illness, constipation, crampy pain in the abdomen, irregular bowel habits, decrease in the size or caliber of stool, frequent feeling of distention in the abdomen or bowel region (e.g., gas pain, bloating, fullness, with or without cramping), unexplained weight loss, vomiting and lack of energy.

The presence of any of the foregoing symptoms and clinical indicia can also aid a practitioner in identifying a patient with an APC-mediated medical disorder, such as FAP, who is thus in need of a treatment of the present invention.

As stated above, the present invention comprises methods for treatment or prevention of any medical condition mediated by a mutation in the APC gene, for example, FAP, by administration of a “therapeutically effective amount” or “therapeutically effective dose” of an IGF1R inhibitor. In an embodiment of the invention, a therapeutically effective daily amount or dose of IGF1R inhibitor or pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered as two, three, four, five, six or more sub-doses administered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day. In an embodiment, a “therapeutically effective” dosage or amount of any anti-IGF1R antibody (e.g., 19D12/15H12 LCD/HCB, LCC/HCB or LCF/HCA) is in the range of about 0.3 mg/kg (body weight) to about 20 mg/kg (e.g., 0.5 mg/kg, 0.9 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 11 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 13 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 17 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 19 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) administered, for example, 1 time per week. In an embodiment of the invention, a therapeutically effective dosage or amount of an IGF1R inhibitor or any other chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., as set forth herein) is, whenever possible, as set forth in the Physicians' Desk Reference 2003 (Thomson Healthcare; 57^(th) edition (Nov. 1, 2002)) which is herein incorporated by reference or in the scientific literature. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, a therapeutically effective dosage or amount of celecoxib is about 400 mg twice per day taken with food. In an embodiment of the invention, a therapeutically effective dosage or amount of sulindac is about 400 mg per day. In an embodiment of the invention, a therapeutically effective dosage or amount of sulindac sulfone is about 200 mg/day.

Therapeutic Methods and Administration

The term “patient” or “subject” includes any organism, preferably an animal, for example, a mammal (e.g., rat, mouse, dog, cat, rabbit) such as a human. Accordingly, the present invention includes veterinary and non-veterinary methods for treating or preventing an APC-mediated disease.

As stated above, in an embodiment of the invention, where possible, an IGF1R inhibitor or any other chemotherapeutic agent set forth herein (e.g., NSAID) is administered to a patient or subject in accordance with the Physicians' Desk Reference 2003 (Thomson Healthcare; 57th edition (Nov. 1, 2002)) or as set forth herein.

An IGF1R inhibitor and/or an additional therapeutic agent (e.g., an NSAID such as celecoxib) can be administered by an invasive route such as by injection. In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody, or pharmaceutical composition thereof, is administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intraarterially. An embodiment of the invention comprises treating or preventing an APC-mediated medical condition by reconstituting a lyophilized or otherwise desiccated powder containing an IGF1R inhibitor (e.g., a pharmaceutical formulation thereof, e.g., in a glass or plastic vial or container), for example in water, DMSO or buffer, and then administering a therapeutically effective amount of the agent in the reconstituted solution to a subject in need thereof (e.g., a subject suffering from FAP), for example, parenterally (e.g., by injection with a hypodermic needle).

Administration of an IGF1R inhibitor and/or an additional therapeutic agent by a non-invasive route (e.g., orally; for example, in a pill, capsule or tablet) is also within the scope of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention comprises methods wherein the IGF1R inhibitor is administered by the same or by a different route as an additional therapeutic agent (e.g., celecoxib). In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody is administered by injection and a second therapeutic agent (e.g., celecoxib) is administered orally.

An IGF1R inhibitor and/or an additional therapeutic agent can be administered with medical devices known in the art. For example, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-IGF1R antibody) can be administered by injection with a hypodermic needle.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be administered with a needleless hypodermic injection device; such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,135; 6,096,002; 5,399,163; 5,383,851; 5,312,335; 5,064,413; 4,941,880; 4,790,824 or 4,596,556.

Examples of well-known implants and modules for administering pharmaceutical compositions include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,603, which discloses an implantable micro-infusion pump for dispensing medication at a controlled rate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,233, which discloses a medication infusion pump for delivering medication at a precise infusion rate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,224, which discloses a variable flow implantable infusion apparatus for continuous drug delivery; U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,196, which discloses an osmotic drug delivery system having multi-chamber compartments. Many other such implants, delivery systems, and modules are well known to those skilled in the art Diagnosis of a medical disorder such as FAP, Gardner Syndrome, Turcot Syndrome and Attenuated FAP is within the scope of knowledge commonly held in the art. For example, Gardner Syndrome can be diagnosed using radiological tests which reveal long bone osteomas and subtle defects in the mandible; eye exams that reveal pigmented lesions of the fundus of the eye; and colonoscopies and other invasive tests which reveal the presence of polyps. FAP and AFAP can be diagnosed by screening of the patient's colon for the presence of polyps (e.g., by flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) as well as by genetic screening for the presence of a mutated APC gene.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

An IGF1R inhibitor can, in an embodiment of the invention, be incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition, along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, suitable for administration to a subject in vivo is within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes pharmaceutical compositions which are suitable to be administered to a subject by any route (e.g., parenteral or non-parenteral) including, for example, oral, ocular, topical, pulmonary (inhalation), intratumoral injection, intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection or intramuscular injection.

For general information concerning formulations, see, e.g., Gilman, et al., (eds.) (1990), The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; A. Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.; Avis, et al., (eds.) (1993) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications Dekker, New York; Lieberman, et al., (eds.) (1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets Dekker, New York; and Lieberman, et al., (eds.) (1990), Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems Dekker, New York, Kenneth A. Walters (ed.) (2002) Dermatological and Transdermal Formulations (Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences), Vol 119, Marcel Dekker.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are conventional and very well known in the art. Examples include aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, stabilizers, antioxidants, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antimicrobial agents, buffers, serum proteins, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. In an embodiment of the invention, the carrier is suitable for injection into a subject's body.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers which may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

Examples of pharmaceutically-acceptable antioxidants include: water soluble antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; and oil-soluble antioxidants such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and metal chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

Prevention of the presence of microorganisms may be ensured both by sterilization procedures, and by the inclusion of various antimicrobial agents such as EDTA, EGTA, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like.

Suitable buffers which may be included in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include L-histidine-based buffers, phosphate-based buffers (e.g., phosphate buffered saline, pH≅7), sorbate-based buffers or glycine-based buffers.

Serum proteins which are, in an embodiment of the invention, included in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include human serum albumin.

Isotonic agents, such as sugars (e.g., sucrose), ethanol, polyalcohols (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, mannitol or sorbitol), sodium citrate or sodium chloride (e.g., buffered saline) are, in an embodiment of the invention, included in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the sugar, for example, glucose or sucrose is present at a high concentration (e.g., about 10-100 mg/ml, e.g., 50 mg/ml, 60 mg/ml or 70 mg/ml).

Prolonged absorption of an injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and/or gelatin.

Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art.

Sterile injectable solutions comprising an anti-IGF1R antibody can be prepared by incorporating the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in the required amount in an appropriate solvent, optionally with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by sterilization microfiltration. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the antibody into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying (lyophilization) that yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional, desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention is in a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of said antibody or fragment, a buffer and sucrose. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the buffer is any one of phosphate buffer, citrate buffer, histidine buffer, glycine buffer or acetate buffer. The pharmaceutical formulation can be within any suitable pH range. In an embodiment of the invention, the pH is 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 7.5, or between about 5.5 and about 6 or between about 5 and about 7.

In an embodiment of the invention, an IGF1R inhibitor and/or other chemotherapeutic agent is orally administered. Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration contain, in an embodiment of the invention, in addition to the active agent, additives such as starch (e.g., potato, maize or wheat starch or cellulose), starch derivatives (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose or silica), sugars (e.g., lactose), talc, stearate, magnesium carbonate or calcium phosphate. In order to ensure that oral compositions comprising an active agent are well tolerated by the patient's digestive system, mucus formers or resins may be included. It may also be desirable to improve tolerance by formulating the active agent in a capsule which is insoluble in the gastric juices. An exemplary pharmaceutical composition of this invention in the form of a capsule is prepared by filling a standard two-piece hard gelatin capsule with the active agent in powdered form, lactose, talc and magnesium stearate.

Oral administration of immunoglobulins, such as an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention, has been described (Foster, et al., (2001) Cochrane Database System rev. 3:CD001816).

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-IGF1R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention is in a pharmaceutical formulation suitable for injection comprising, at a pH of about 5.5, about 20 mg/ml of the antibody (or any suitable concentration of the antibody); about 2.3 mg/ml of sodium acetate trihydrate; about 0.18 mg/ml of glacial acetic acid; about 70 mg/ml of sucrose and water.

An IGF1R inhibitor or other chemotherapeutic agent may also be administered by inhalation. A suitable pharmaceutical composition for inhalation may be an aerosol. An exemplary pharmaceutical composition for inhalation of an IGF1R inhibitor or other chemotherapeutic agent may include: an aerosol container with a capacity of 15-20 ml comprising the IGF1R inhibitor or other chemotherapeutic agent, a lubricating agent, such as polysorbate 85 or oleic acid, dispersed in a propellant, such as freon, preferably in a combination of 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane and difluorochloromethane. Preferably, the composition is in an appropriate aerosol container adapted for either intranasal or oral inhalation administration.

EXAMPLES

The following information is provided for more clearly describing the present invention and should not be construed to limit the present invention. Any and all of the compositions and methods described below fall within the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 Inhibition of Polyposis in Human IGF1R Knock-in Mice

In this example, the ability of anti-IGF1R antibody 19D12 (LCF/HCA: amino acids 20-128 of SEQ ID NO: 8 and 20-137 of SEQ ID NO: 10) to treat familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is established in a mouse model for the disease. The model comprises the Apc^(Min/+) allele which imparts the FAP phenotype. A phenotype that results from the allele is increased development of intestinal adenomas. The Min mutant mouse has an autosomal dominant heterozygous nonsense mutation in the mouse Apc gene (see e.g., Su et al., Science (Wash D.C.) 256: 668-670 (1992)).

The Min mice are also engineered, by a knock-in mutation, to express the human IGF1R gene. Expression of the IGF1R gene, in the Min mouse, allows determination of the ability of an anti-IGF1R antibody to alleviate the FAP phenotype. Antibody-dependent reduction of the incidence of intestinal adenomas in the hIGF1R, Apc^(Min/+) mice indicates that the antibody would be an effective treatment of FAP in humans and other animals.

Twenty eight C57Bl/6J (hIGF1R, Apc^(Min/+)) mice are obtained commercially and broken into the following groups (4 per group):

TABLE 1 Organization of Treatment Groups. Treatment group Route and dosing schedule NT vehicle injection once a week 19D12 (LCF/HCA), 0.02 mg/mouse i.p. injection once a week 19D12 (LCF/HCA), 0.1 mg/mouse i.p. injection once a week 19D12 (LCF/HCA), 0.5 mg/mouse i.p. injection once a week Celecoxib, 150 ppm in diet Celecoxib, 500 ppm in diet Celecoxib, 1500 ppm in diet

Small intestinal adenomas and colonic adenomas are scored for number and diameter at postnatal day 80. The stomach, small intestine, and colon are dissected free of mesentery and opened along the longitudinal axis. Intestinal contents are cleared with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and the small intestine is divided into three equal-length segments and laid open with the colon on the absorptive side of Benchkote® (Whatman®). Intestines are fixed in 4% (4 g/100 ml) paraformaldehyde in PBS (24 h) followed by 70% ethanol (v/v). Using a dissecting microscope (×10-30) and calipers, adenoma number and diameter are obtained for the entire length of the small intestine and colon. Adenoma analysis is performed without knowledge of genotype by one person and confirmed independently by another. Small intestine surface area is calculated by summation of the multiples of length of each fixed segment by width, which is measured at the midpoint of each segment. Colon surface area is calculated by multiplying the length of the fixed material from the anorectal junction to the point of insertion of the small intestine, omitting the appendix, by the width at the midpoint. Raw numbers of adenomas observed as well as adenomas per unit of small intestine and colon surface area are calculated.

Mice receiving the 19D12 (LCF/HCA) antibody or celecoxib exhibit a dose-dependent reduction of raw adenoma number as well as adenomas per unit surface area in the small intestine and colon.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Patents, patent applications, Genbank® Accession Numbers and publications are cited throughout this application, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 

I claim:
 1. A method for treating familial adenomatous polyposis, in a subject, comprising administering, to a mammalian subject with familial adenomatous polyposis, a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds human insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor comprising a light chain immunoglobulin that comprises CDR-L1, CDR-L2 and CDR-L3 of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8; and, a heavy chain immunoglobulin that comprises CDR-H1, CDR-H2 and CDR-H3 of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10 and which reduces the number or surface area of adenomas in the small intestine or colon of the subject.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is an antibody comprising a light chain immunoglobulin that comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8; and, a heavy chain immunoglobulin that comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 10. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the antibody comprises a light chain immunoglobulin variable region linked to a kappa light chain constant region.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the antibody or fragment comprises a heavy chain immunoglobulin variable region linked to a gamma 1 heavy chain constant region.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the antibody is administered to the subject in association with one or more therapeutic procedures, diagnostic procedures or additional chemotherapeutic agents.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein an additional chemotherapeutic agent is one or members selected from the group consisting of piroxicam, sulindac, sulindac sulfone, indomethacin, rofecoxib, celecoxib, aspirin, a dietary calcium supplement, a retinoid, a carotenoid, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, selenium, folate and methionine.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the antibody and additional chemotherapeutic agent are in a single pharmaceutical composition along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the antibody and additional chemotherapeutic agent are in two or more separate pharmaceutical compositions each along with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
 9. The method of claim 4 wherein the antibody is administered to the subject by a parenteral route.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a member selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, an anti-idiotypic antibody, a chimeric antibody, a bispecific antibody, a humanized antibody, a fully human antibody, a recombinant antibody, a Fab, a F(ab)₂, an Fv, a single chain antibody, a dsFv and a linear antibody.
 11. The method of claim 4 wherein the subject is human. 